Race Dates: Friday 29th, Saturday 30th, Sunday 31st March 2024
Andy Rowland went over to the IoM at Easter to take part in the 3 race Easter Festival of Running.
Good Friday sees the start of the festival with a 10k road race starting at 5:30pm. Men and women run together although there are, of course, separate prizes for the men and women. There are also team prizes to be won and awards for the leading veterans and juniors. The race starts by the harbour in Port Erin and heads up to the Promenade and then out of town before following the picturesque coastal footpath to Port St. Mary harbour and returning to Port Erin finishing near to the Lifeboat Station. After the race, there is usually live music and food available from multiple locations.
There were 286 in the male race which was won by Ewan Wheelwright of Leeds Uni in 30.53. Andy was the only Strider in attendance and placed 221st
Striders results:
| Pos | Name | Cat | Time |
| 221 (9) | Andy Rowland | MV 55 | 49.58 |
On Saturday afternoon, action moves to Peel, a fishing village on the west of the island, about 11 miles from Douglas, for the Peel Hill race. The race starts and finishes near the quayside at the House of Manannan with start times of 14.15hrs (men) and 15.15hrs (women). The men compete over a four mile course and the women over a three mile route. The races are held separately. With the exception of the first and last half mile the course is on grass. There are two main climbs on the route for the men and one for the women with a number of short sharp climbs as well. The descent is less steep. Therefore, the climb suits the fell/hill runners but they have less of an edge over the road and track runners on the downhill.
There were 196 male competitors with the winner being Matthew Knowles of Edinburgh Uni in 20.59. Andy was the lone Strider.
Striders Results:
| Pos | Name | Cat | Time |
| 154 (5) | Andy Rowland | MV 55 | 35.54 |
Sunday morning concludes the running with a 5km road race on an out and back course along Douglas Promenade. The ladies race starts at 10.30hrs and the Mens at 11.15am. The start/finish is located on Douglas Promenade walkway at the Sea Terminal end of the Promenade. The course is a 2.5km out and 2.5km back lap and is very flat and covering virtually the full length of Douglas Promenade.
There were 219 runners in the male race with the winner being Ewan Wheelwright of Leeds Uni in 15.10.
Striders results:
| Pos | Name | Cat | Time |
| 190 (7) | Andy Rowland | MV 55 | 24.09 |
Andy finished 126th overall in the series and 6th in his age category. Nice work, Andy.
Full results: here
